Collapsible portable reusable container

ABSTRACT

A collapsible portable reusable container having a plurality of sides, gussets and opposing tension folds, as a tension hinge, optionl brackets as needed, with each gusset having a first section and a second section. One section of the gusset is foldably connected to a panel having an opposing tension fold, preferably on an adjacent connected panel, creating a tension hinge. The above gusset and opposing tension fold placements, allow a user to transform the container from a folded, collapsed position to a freestanding, open position in one simple move with no need for a securing mechanism to keep the container in an open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a foldable container. More particularly, the present invention relates to a collapsible portable reusable container that can be conveniently stored flat and made erect easily.

2. Description of the Related Art

In today's society, the need to be mobile and versatile is becoming essential to survival. The need to be on-the-go, has created a demand for products to be portable and reusable. To satisfy this need, however, such products must be reliable as well as inexpensive to warrant a convenient, single or multi-use reusable application.

Everyday usage requires for a great number of duties and procedures, containers for solids or liquids or a combination of materials which, in the past have generally been made of glass, metal, plastic and the like and are used over and over again serving the needs first of one duty and then another. Containers for usages such as dog bowls, mixing bowls, storage containers and trays, needless to say, require a lot of space and care and in the hyper-mobile society of today, who has the extra time or space. We're always on the go.

To eliminate the requirements of storing, reusing and packaging of such solid or liquid holding containers, I have provided a container formed of sheet material which is collapsible portable and reusable and is packaged in such a collapsed, portable condition so as to be readily opened and erected into a container suitable for holding solids, liquids or a combination of materials but not limited to such items. Because my collapsible portable reusable containers are formed from reliable inexpensive, preferably recyclable, sheet materials such as fiberboard, card stock paper, paperboard, cardboard, heavy foil and the like, they can be used not just once but under many conditions multiple times and usages, and when in the collapsed, portable form, can be easily stored and or possibly recycled. Usages include but not limited to traveling dog bowls, water bowls, mixing bowls, serving trays, chips and dip bowls, emergency storage containers, survival kits, etc.

Think about this, when is the last time you needed a bowl? Really think about it. Everyday! If you have dogs and you walk them, you need a bowl. Who has the space to carry a bowl with them. And that's just one instance of a need for a portable container to hold items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to embodiment of the present invention, I provide a collapsible portable reusable container which can be easily and readily erected or collapsed as needed.

In one embodiment, the container can be rectangular in shape, but is not intended to limit the plurality of panels or gussets, and can comprise of a rectangular bottom panel having a pair of oppositely positioned rectangular side panels and a pair of oppositely positioned rectangular end panels integrally connected to the marginal edges of the rectangular bottom panel. Gusseted corner folds are formed between the adjacent end edges of the side and end panels respectively with an opposing tension fold on a panel opposite the marginal edge of the gusset creating a tension hinge. The container is collapsed into a folded flat position by first folding the side panels inwardly onto the upper surface of the rectangular bottom panel while letting the end panels fold inwardly onto the outer surface of the folded side panels. Grasping the end panels and exerting a first upward and then inward pulling force thereon, brings end panels together. The rectangular container is made open from the collapsed position by first letting end panels fall away from each other then pulling upwards and outwards of side panels from the underlying rectangular bottom panel that lifts the end panels upwardly from the underlying side panels and folding out and downwards resulting in erection of the collapsible portable reusable container into a dimensional open container. By providing dimensioning and configuration for the side panels, end panels and intersecting tension hinge, my collapsible portable container is readily opened without need of support to any panel.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of sides and panels may be added to give a compartmentalized, enclosed or other erect function or feature but not limited to stated functions or features.

In another embodiment a top is secured to one panel

In another embodiment a single folding bracket with a single locking hinge is utilized to give additional support to the to side and bottom panels to stabilize container when use for additional usages.

In another embodiment a single folding bracket with corner locking hinges is utilized to give additional support to the to side and bottom panels to stabilize container when use for additional usages.

In another embodiment a double folding bracket with a single locking hinge is utilized to give additional support to the to side and bottom panels

In another embodiment a double folding bracket with corner locking hinges is utilized to give additional support to the to side and bottom panels to stabilize container when used for additional usages.

In one embodiment of the present invention, and for this example, a rectangle bottom with four panels and four gusseted tension hinges are used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is to be noted that the drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

These and other attendant features and advantages of the present invention will be in part obvious and in part more readily understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container in an open condition according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the blank from which the container is formed according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container in a collapsed, portable condition according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container showing the lifting or folding of the side panels upon first applying an upwardly directed pulling or pushing force on the side panels as the collapsed container is being erected or collapsed according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container in an open, partially erected condition as an outward and downward pulling force is exerted on the side panels according to one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container in an open, erect condition showing how gusset folds attach to end panels and tension folds on adjacent connected panels according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container in an open, erect condition showing how gusset folds attach to end panels and tension folds on adjacent connected panels according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the container utilizing a single side and bottom bracket but not limiting the plurality of said bracket to add support according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a single bottom bracket utilizing a single central locking hinge showing the single bracket in an unfolded, open position according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a single bottom bracket utilizing a single central locking hinge showing the single bracket in a folded, closed position according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a sing bottom bracket utilizing a double corner locking hinge showing the single bottom bracket utilizing a double corner locking hinge in an unfolded, open position according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a single bottom bracket utilizing a double corner locking hinge showing the single bottom bracket utilizing a double corner locking hinge in a folded, closed position according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the container utilizing a dual side and bottom bracket but not limiting the plurality of said bracket to add support according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a double bottom bracket utilizing a corner locking hinge showing the double bracket utilizing a corner locking hinge in an unfolded, open position according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a double bottom bracket utilizing a corner locking hinge showing the double bracket utilizing a corner locking hinge in an folded, closed position according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Embodiments of the invention generally provide containers which are easily transformed from a folded form to a usable container to provide improved storage and portability.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible portable and reusable container in an open position according to one embodiment of the invention. The exemplar collapsible portable container described herein can be collapsed down to substantially flat layers of card board to aid in storage and portability of large quantities of the collapsible containers. Although a rectangular collapsible container is illustrated, collapsible containers having other shapes are also contemplated.

The collapsible portable reusable container of the present invention is comprised from sheet material and preferably is an integral sheet of thin, durable, flexible sheet material, example, sheets of paper, fiberboard, cardboard, polyester or heavy foil, plastic, kraft board, etc. but not limited to said material, are suitable and particularly advantageous results are achieved using a heavy weight card stock paper or kraft board having at least one plastic coated surface, i.e. the surface forming the interior of the collapsible portable reusable container.

Referring first to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there is illustrated a collapsible portable reusable container generally designated by the container blank 13 from which the portable reusable container is formed and the container 11, as a perspective view of container in one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, is in the open and erect position. The container 11 is shown having a rectangular bottom panel 4 integrally connected to a pair of side panels 7 and 8 and a pair of rectangular end panels 5 and 6 along fold lines 14, 15, and 16, 17 respectively.

Referring particularly to the blank 13 illustrated in FIG. 2, it is seen that separated parallel fold lines 14 and 15 each intersect separated parallel fold lines 16 and 17 at right angles. The fold lines 14 and 15 define the side edges of the bottom panel 4, the bottom edges of the side panels 7 and 8 and the end edges of the end panels 5 and 6. Fold lines 16 and 17 define the end edges of the bottom panel 4, the bottom edges of the end panels 5 and 6 and the end edges of side panels 7 and 8.

An important unit connecting the end edges of end panels 5 and 6 and the end edges of side panels 7 and 8 form gusset 23 each consisting of one triangle-like shaped section x and another triangle-like shaped section y integrally formed as a unit connected together along a common diagonally placed fold line 25 which dissects the angle existent between end edges of side panel 7 and 8 with adjacent end edges of panels 5 and 6 respectively. Fold 27, an angled fold to the intersections of folds 14 and 15 with folds 16 and 17 respectively on side panels 7 and 8, together with gusset 23 form a tension hinge for the purpose collapsing or erecting end panels. Angle may be dependant on plurality of sides and panels, for this embodiment of the invention, but not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, a 45 degree angle is used. Fold 28 bisects bottom panel 4 and side panels 7 and 8 at the mid point in order to complete the collapsing of or start the erecting of the completed portable reusable container.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the collapsible portable reusable container in one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention and is formed from the blank illustrated in FIG. 2 by first folding rectangular side panels 7 and 8 upward along scored lines 14 and 15 and onto the inner surface of the bottom panel 4. The end panels 5 and 6 are simultaneously folded upward along fold lines 16 and 17 and onto the inner surfaces of bottom panel 4 with gusset 23 formed outside the container by gusset section x and y coming together at fold 25 as illustrated by FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. Gusset 23 is formed by folding section x and y outwardly at fold 25 an adhesive 20 is applied to the inner surfaces of section x of gusset 23 and glued to inner surface of section y of gusset 23. Repeat for all corner gussets. As shown in FIG, 6 and FIG. 7, an adhesive 21 is applied to outside of gusset panel y and gusset 23 is then folded along corner fold of intersection of panels 14, 15 and 16, 17 respectively and glued to each end panel 5 and 6 to secure gusset panel y of gusset 23 onto end panels 5 and 6.

FIG. 3, collapsible portable reusable container as shown collapsed, shows a perspective view of the container in one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention and is formed from the perspective view container illustrated in FIG. 1 by first pushing in side panels 7 and 8 onto bottom panel 4 along folds 14 and 15 folding 45 degree side tension fold 27 inwardly thus causing all panels 5, 6, 7 and 8 to lie onto bottom panel 4. With side panels 7 and 8 folded down bring end panels 5 and 6 inwardly together with an upward pull by folding in at fold 28. You may or not have a securing device 29 on the outside end panels 5 and 6 to keep end panels 5 and 6 together in a closed manner making for ease of portability or desired use according to one embodiment of the invention. Securing device 29 can be made of a hook and loop fastener or some type of adhesive or glue but is not limited to such and might be of any clasp or tie.

To obtain the collapsed container illustrated in FIG. 3, having all the advantageous features of the present invention, the rectangular, bottom 4, side 7 and 8 and end panels 5 and 6, although it does need a certain amount of dimensional relationships there could be other uses that may not need those requirements. To this end, the height h of side and end panels 7, 8, and 5, 6 preferably being less than one-half the width w of bottom panel 4, could have other uses that may not need those requirements.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the collapsed container 11 illustrated in FIG. 3 is erected into the open container illustrated in FIG. 1 by first pulling apart hook and loop securing device or other clasp or tie if used and unfold end panels 5 and 6 downwards at fold 28. End panels 5 and 6 are unfolded outward and down at fold 28. As in FIG. 4 place thumbs on side panels 7 and 8 and pull up and out. Because of the tension hinge, fold 27 and gusset 23, and pulling up and out on side panels 7 and 8, all sides become erect. Outward forces exerted on the sides 7 and 8 are sufficient to lift end panels 5 and 6 upwardly into a standing erect position.

Referring now particularly FIG. 5, when the collapsed container 11 illustrated in FIG. 3 is made erect from FIG. 4, while still holding side panels 7 and 8, take and fold the side panels 7 and 8 exerting a downward force at fold 14 and 15 as in FIG. 5. This causes all folds from FIG. 3 to release and make the container stand erect. The device is now a free standing container. The stiffening strength supplied by the tension hinge, fold 27 along with tension pull from gusset 23 glued to end panels 5 and 6, is sufficient to prevent side panels 7 and 8 from returning to their folded-down position on the upper surface of bottom panel 4 and forms a tension resistance mechanism.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the collapsible portable reusable container 11, in one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, utilizing a single bracket 40 referred to by FIG. 9 or FIG. 11 to add support. Said bracket is made of plastic metal wood or other rigid material and incorporating one or more locking hinges 42 to hold shape and give additional support to sides and bottom of container. Side arms 41 and 43 of bracket 40 utilizing locking hinge 42 to open to the determined angle of container side and locking in the open position while incorporating inward hooks to clasp over top of side panels there by increasing the amount of volume or mass that can be held by container.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the hinged bracket 40 utilizing a single center locking hinge 42 in one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention consisting of a single side and bottom bracket 40 in the open position. Said bracket consisting of two angled arms 41 and 43 connected by a center locking hinge 42.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the hinged bracket 40 utilizing a single center locking hinge 42 in one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention consisting of a single side and bottom bracket 40 in the closed position aid bracket consisting of two angled arms 41 and 43 connected by a center locking hinge 42.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of the hinged bracket 40 utilizing two corner locking hinges 42 in one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention consisting of a single side and bottom bracket 40 in the open position. Said bracket consisting of two arms 47 and 49 and a middle bottom 44 connected by two corner locking hinges 42, Said arms 47 and 49 incorporating inward hooks to hook over top of side panels.

FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the hinged bracket 40 utilizing a dual corner locking hinge 42 in one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention consisting of a single side and bottom bracket 40 in the closed position. Said bracket consisting of two arms 47 and 49 and a middle bottom 44 connected by two corner locking hinges 42.

FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of the collapsible portable reusable container 11 in one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention utilizing a double bracket 50 referred to by FIG. 14 to add support consisting of a bottom piece 54 and side arms 55, 56, 57, 58 respectively set to the determined angle of container side connected by locking hinge 52 locked in the open position incorporating inward hooks to clasp over top of side panels to add support. Said bracket is made of plastic metal wood or other rigid material and incorporating one or more locking hinges 52 to hold shape for additional support to sides and bottom of container there by increasing the amount of volume of mass that can be held by container.

FIG. 14 shows a perspective view of the hinged bracket 50 utilizing a plurality of corner locking hinges 42 in one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention consisting of a single side and bottom bracket 40 in the open position. Said bracket consisting of two arms 47 and 49 and a middle bottom 44 connected by two corner locking hinges 42. Said arms 47 and 49 incorporating inward hook to clasp over top of side panels.

FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of the hinged bracket 50 utilizing a plurality of corner locking hinge 52 in one embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention consisting of a double bracket 50 in the closed position

As the container is being erected from its collapsible portable reusable condition shown in FIG. 3 utilizing actions in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 to achieve its open condition shown in FIG. 1 with tension hinge, gussets 23 adhered onto end panels S and 6 with adhesive on gusset panel y and fold lines 27, hold the strength of the corner when in the fully upright open condition shown in FIG. 1. In this manner, the container of the present invention is maintained as an integral unit in its fully erected condition depicted in FIG. 1, in the collapsed condition depicted in FIG. 3, and in its partially erected condition shown in FIGS. 4 and FIG. 5.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to a preferred and specific embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that various modifications, changes and alterations can be made therein while still remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined within the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A collapsible portable reusable container for solids, liquids or a combination of both but not limited to stated, formed from an integral flat blank of sheet material, said blank comprising: (a) a polygon bottom panel with a center fold at half the length of bottom for folding collapsed container in half, having oppositely disposed end panels and oppositely disposed adjacent side panels integrally connected thereto along a plurality of spaced end fold lines intersecting a second plurality of spaced side fold lines respectively, (1) each of said fold lines intersecting each of said oppositely disposed fold lines at angles dependent on plurality of sides, (2) said fold lines defining the edges of said polygon bottom panel, the bottom and end edges of each end panel and the bottom and end edges of each adjacent side panel respectively, (3) said fold line bisecting length of bottom panel for fold and to facilitate portability (b) tension hinge means existent between and connecting each end edge of said end panels and the next adjacent end edge of said oppositely disposed adjacent side panels, consisting of a gusset secured to said end panel and a tension fold opposite the gusset on said adjacent side panel (1) each gusset consisting of a first substantially triangular-like shaped section having one edge outwardly connected to said end edge of said end panel and a second substantially triangular like shaped section having one edge outwardly connected to said end edge of said adjacent side panel (2) said first and second sections each having a common second edge outwardly connecting each other along a fold line angularly directed to bisect said right angle existent between said intersecting fold lines defining said gusset outwardly connected end edges, (3) said gusset is foldably secured to said end panel with an oppositely disposed tension fold line on said adjacent side panel (4) a tension fold consisting of an oppositely disposed fold line angularly directed to bisect said right angle existent between said intersecting fold lines of said gusset on said adjacent side panel. (c) said blank being foldable into a portable erect container by folding said end panels upwardly and onto the inner surface of said bottom panel and by folding said adjacent side panels upwardly and onto the outer surface of said bottom panels with each of said gussets being folded simultaneously outward with said panels positioned between the inner surface of said end panels and the inner surface of said adjacent side panels and having said first triangular-like section of said gusset secured to outer surface of said end panel with an outwardly folded tension fold angularly directed to bisect said right angle between intersecting fold lines on said adjacent side panels (d) said erect portable reusable container is folded into a collapsed portable container by folding inwardly at tension fold on side panel while simultaneously folding said side panels inwardly upon said bottom panel causing end panels to fold inwardly upon the folded side panel then folding in half at center fold of bottom panel by bringing end panels inwardly together and secured to facilitate portability (e) the said folded portable reusable container is made erect into a freestanding container by releasing secured end panels and pulling downwards at center fold to make said bottom panel flat then pulling said side panels upward outward and downward outwardly engaging the tension hinge into bringing the container into an open freestanding position.
 2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said fiat blank of sheet material consists of paperboard having a plastic coating on at least the upper surface thereof. 